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5 Ways to Save Money at Home and on the Road by Going Green

Many of today’s top cash-saving tips not only spare your wallet, but they can also spare the environment. There are many simple ways to cut down on your use of energy and fuel. The following are five easy ways to save money by making more sustainable, green-friendly choices at home and on the road.

1. Audit Your Home’s Energy Use – Whether you’re thinking about buying a house or want to find ways to save money in your current home, it’s a good idea to conduct a home energy audit. This will let you know areas of your home that could use repairs, whether these involve sealing the windows, caulking cracks in the walls, or installing a new thermostat.

2. Drive a Fuel-Efficient Car – One of the best ways to immediately save money is to purchase a car that’s slightly used rather than a brand-new model, which can shave thousands of dollars off of the price. Choosing a fuel-efficient model can also save you money in the long-term sense, while saving energy. Reading up on the latest car news can clue you in to which models get at least 30 mpg and also are available at a low starting price.

3. Trade in Old Electronics – If you upgrade your mobile phone every year, you may be left with a pile of old electronics sitting somewhere in your home. These old mobile phones and laptops could be recycled for cash. This not only saves you money but also reduces landfill-clogging clutter.

4. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting – Switching over to more energy-efficient light bulbs will cost a little bit of money initially, but it will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs and you’ll shave a significant portion off of your energy bill. At the same time, these bulbs have a lifespan that lasts six times longer than a traditional bulb.

5. Get Regular Auto Maintenance Checks – Just as you must audit the energy use in your home, it’s a good idea to take your car in for a regular check-up to see where your car might be wasting energy. Common issues like low levels of transmission fluid, worn spark plugs, and sagging belts can tax your car and cause you to use more fuel than necessary. By tightening up these minor problems, you can increase fuel efficiency.